Music-notation.



No. 881,085. PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

` n J. A. SHIRES.

MUSIQV NOTATION.

APPLIGATIO FILED APB. 22. 1907.

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' J1/wanton @Maf C 3 @Hoamull JOSEPH A. SHIRES, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

MUSIC-NOTATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 8, 1908.

Application filed April 22, 1907. serial 10.369,703.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. Simms, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Music-Notation; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in music notation, or a new arrangement for vocal music. g

The object of my invention is to simplify or facilitate the reading of music.

The invention consists of replacing notes by words or syllables of a song and placing over each word or syllable a numeral which designates the length of tone.

' Having briefly outlined my improved system, I will proceed to describe the same in detail reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is an illustration of m improved notation. Fig. 2 isa modified orm thereof.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a staff comprising seven bars arranged to properly accommodate a line of the hymn Nearer My God to Thee. The words of this song take the place of the regular musical symbols. They are laced each in its proper position on said sta whereby the proper tone of each word or syllable is indicated. Thus the symbols of the ordinary musicas B and A in the above hymn are replaced by the syllables near-er respectively. Just above the words or syllables are placed numerals to designate the length of tone` thus the word Near-er has placed above the same the numerals l: i-and 2, 3 designating the number of beats to the syllable ncar and 2 the number of boats to the syllable er In Fig. 2 the second line or bass words arel made heavier or darker so that distinction can be readily drawn. When there arc more than two parts, say soprano, alto and bass the parts may be written in three dill'erent shades. With my improved arrangement it is needless for a person to spend a great deal of time in learning to read music as the length of tone is designated by the numerals, and the tone by the position of the words and syllables.

Ilaving thus described my invention, what Il claim is: y

1. In a system of music notation, a staff, words positioned on said staff, and numerals positioned on said staff above the words for the purpose set forth.

2. In a system of music notation, a staff, words positioned on the staff to indicate the tones, -and numerals also positioned on said staff designating the length of tone, the various music parts being written in different shades for the purpose Aset forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH A. SHIRES.

Witnesses DENA NELso'N, MAY GAWLEY. 

